Vehicle speed control system with adaptive learning

ABSTRACT

A speed controller maintains the engine throttle at a desired throttle position based upon an initial throttle position and a speed error signal. The initial throttle position is generated by multiplying vehicle speed by a constant and adding an offset value related to throttle position at idle and speed control slack. The initial throttle position is adaptively updated by subtracting the above product from actual throttle position during speed control operation to learn a new offset value.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to speed control systems for motorvehicles.

Conventional speed control systems maintain vehicle speed at a referencespeed by feedback control of the engine throttle in response to an errorsignal. The reference speed is generated by storing the vehicle speedexisting at the time of operator actuation of a set button or switch.Typically, the error signal is provided by subtracting vehicle speedfrom the reference speed, and the feedback control then drives the errorsignal to zero. After speed control is temporarily disabled in responseto operator application of the brakes, the reference speed becomes theprevious stored reference speed after the operator actuates a resumeswitch.

A problem with such prior approaches is that upon speed controlinitiation, or resumption, feedback control responsive to the errorsignal must first "wind in" speed cable slack and then turn the throttleto require the reference speed. Thus, vehicle speed may initially droopupon initiation or resumption of speed control operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,986 issued to Nakajima et al addresses the aboveproblem of speed droop. Nakajima et al looks up a target throttleposition, at the time of speed control actuation, in a memory or tableof throttle position versus vehicle speed. The engine throttle is thenturned to this target throttle position and feedback control thereaftercommenced.

The inventors herein have recognized numerous disadvantages of the aboveapproach. For example, the look-up table is generated for a particularvehicle operating on flat road conditions. On the other hand, the amountof speed control cable slack which must be wound to achieve a desired orinitial throttle position will be a function of cable slack and linkageslack which will vary among vehicles. Further, the relationship betweenthe throttle position and vehicle speed varies among vehicles, vehicleequipment, and load conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention herein to provide a speed controlsystem which adaptively learns an initial throttle position for useduring speed control actuation or resumption.

The above and other disadvantages of prior approaches are overcome byproviding a speed control system and method for achieving andmaintaining a desired speed. In one particular aspect of the invention,the speed control system comprises: control means including a servocoupled to the throttle for maintaining the throttle at a desiredthrottle position based upon an initial throttle position and adeviation between the desired speed and the vehicle speed; initiationmeans for generating the initial throttle position as a function of thevehicle speed existing when the operator actuation occurs; and learningmeans for updating the initial throttle position in relation to adeviation of the desired throttle position from the initial throttleposition to be used as the initial throttle position during a subsequentoperator actuation.

An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the initialthrottle position is adaptively learned such that it is accurateregardless of the amount of cable slack or type of vehicle upon whichthe speed control system is installed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages described herein will be more fullyunderstood by reading an example of an embodiment in which the inventionis utilized to advantage, referred to herein as the Description of thePreferred Embodiment, with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an electro-mechanical schematic of a speed control systemwhich utilizes the invention described herein to advantage;

FIGS. 2A-2B are a flowchart showing process steps performed by amicrocomputer to generate various speed control commands by decoding aplurality of operator actuable switches shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing process steps performed by a microcomputerto generate a throttle position command during speed control operations;

FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of quadratic speed control operation;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing process steps performed by a microcomputerin controlling a stepper motor coupled to the engine throttle inresponse to a throttle position con, hand;

FIGS. 6A-6B are a flowchart showing process steps performed by amicrocomputer to initialize speed control operation;

FIG. 7 is a graphical illustration of generating an initial throttleposition for initializing speed control operation;

FIGS. 8A-8C are graphical illustrations of the speed controlinitialization described with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of process steps performed by a microcomputer inadaptively learning an initial target throttle position;

FIGS. 10A-10B are a flowchart of process steps performed by amicrocomputer in controlling speed control operation during a particularembodiment of a resume mode;

FIGS. 11A-11C are a graphical illustration of speed control operationduring the resume mode of operation described with reference to FIGS.10A-10B; and

FIGS. 12A-12C are another graphical illustration of speed controloperation during the resume mode of operation described with referenceto FIGS. 10A-10B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Speed control system 10 is first described in general terms withreference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1. More detaileddescription is provided later herein with particular reference to FIGS.2-12. Speed control system 10 controls the engine throttle (not shown)via cable drum 12, connected to throttle cable 14. In general, speedcontrol system 10 is responsive to: vehicle speed sensor 18 which isdescribed in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 280,907,the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference; brakelight switch 24; and brake dump switch 26 which is responsive to apredetermined hydraulic fluid pressure in the brake line such as, forexample, 100 psi. The above inputs are filtered and buffered in aconventional manner by input signal conditioning circuitry 28. Inaddition, as described in greater detail later herein with particularreference to FIGS. 2A-2B, speed control system 10 is responsive tomultiplex switch assembly 30 mounted on the vehicle steering wheel (notshown). In this particular example, multiplex switch assembly 30includes the following operator actuable momentary switches: ON/OFFswitch 32, COAST switch 34, SET/ACCEL switch 36, and RESUME/CANCELswitch 38.

Microcomputer 42, a conventional microcomputer such as the 6805 series,is shown responsive to the above described inputs for controllingstepper motor 50 which in turn controls cable drum 12 via reductiongearing 54 and electromagnetic clutch 56. In this particular example,electromagnetic clutch 56 includes clutch plates 58a and 58b whereinclutch plate 58b is displaced against a return spring (not shown) inresponse to the flow of electrical current through coil 60. Thesemechanical components are described in greater detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/558,918, the specification of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Continuing with FIG. 1, coil 60 is shown having one end connected to anelectrical ground via clutch driver 64, a field effect transistor inthis particular example, which is responsive to microcomputer 42. Theother end of coil 60 is coupled to battery power V_(B) via brake dumpswitch 26. During deactivation of speed control operation, such as whenON/OFF switch 32 is depressed in the OFF position or brake light switch24 is closed, microcomputer 42 instructs stepper motor 50 to turn to anidle position and thereafter opens electromagnetic clutch 56 via clutchdriver 64. In addition, electromagnetic clutch 56 becomes immediatelydisengaged upon actuation of brake dump switch 26 when a predeterminedpressure is achieved in the brake system.

SPEED CONTROL COMMANDS

The operation of multiplex switch assembly 30 and decoding of switchactuation by microcomputer 42 to provide corresponding speed controlcommands (i.e., speed control operating modes), is now described withcontinuing reference to FIG. 1 and reference to FIGS. 2A-2B. For theparticular embodiment shown herein, multiplex switch assembly 30receives electrical power (V_(B) ') at node 64 via the relay coil ofelectrical horn assembly 66 through slip ring 70. Electrical ground isshown received at node 72 of multiplex switch assembly 30 via slip ring74. Switch assembly 30 includes output node 80 which is coupled to node82 of bridge circuit 86 via slip ring 88. As described in greater detaillater herein, a multiplexed output signal or voltage is provided at node80 by multiplex switch assembly 30. Microcomputer 42 decodes themultiplexed output signal to provide the appropriate command signals. Inthis particular example, one of five preselected voltages is provided atnode 82 (V₈₂) by actuation of either momentary switch 32, 34, 36, or 38.

ON/OFF switch 32 is shown as a single pole double throw momentary switchhaving its pole connected to node 80, its "ON" position connected tonode 64, and its "OFF" position connected to electrical ground at node72. COAST switch 34 is shown as a momentary switch connected in serieswith resistor 94 between node 80 and node 72. SET/ACCEL switch 36 isshown as a momentary switch connected in series with resistor 96 betweennode 80 and node 72. RESUME/CANCEL switch 38 is shown as a momentaryswitch connected in series with resistor 98 between node 80 and node 72.Horn switch 92 is connected in series between nodes 64 and 74.

Electrical bridge 86 is shown including two resistive voltage dividerscoupled between electrical ground and node 102 which in turn is coupledto V_(B). The first voltage divider includes resistor 114 (R114) coupledbetween node 102 and node 82, and resistor 116 (R116) coupled betweenelectrical ground and node 82. The second resistive voltage dividerincludes resistor 120 (R120) and resistor 122 (R122) interconnected withnode 104. Nodes 82 and 104 are shown connected to respective A/D inputsA/D₁ and A/D₂ of microcomputer 42.

Operation of multiplex switch assembly 30 and bridge 86 in producingpreselected voltages at node 82 corresponding to speed control commandsis now described. During actuation of ON/OFF switch 32 to the "ON" mode,voltage V_(B) ' is coupled to node 82. When ON/OFF switch 32 is actuatedin the "OFF" mode, electrical ground is coupled to node 82. When allswitches of multiplex switch assembly 30 are deactuated (i.e., none aredepressed) node 80 is floating such that the voltage at node 82 ofelectrical bridge 86 is V_(B) *R116/(R114+R116). That is, the voltage atnode 82 is determined by dividing V_(B) by the first resistive voltagedivider including resistors 114 and 116. This voltage is therefore areference voltage designating the concurrent deactuated or idle positionof momentary switches 32, 34, 36 and 38.

During momentary depression of COAST switch 34, resistor 94 is coupledin parallel with resistor 116 of electrical bridge 86. Accordingly, thevoltage at node 82 during depression of COAST switch 34 is representedby:

    V.sub.B *∥R116R94/(R114+∥R116 R94);

where ∥ R116 R94 represents the resistance of the parallel combinationof R116 and R94.

While SET/ACCEL switch 36 is held in the depressed position, resistor 96is coupled in parallel with resistor 116. During such momentarydepression, the voltage at node 82 is represented by:

    V.sub.B *∥R116 R96/(R114+∥R116 R96).

Similarly, during depression of RESUME/CANCEL switch 38, resistor 98 iscoupled in parallel with resistor 116. Thus, the voltage at node 82 isthen represented by

    V.sub.B *∥R116 R98/(R114+∥R116 R98).

The voltage at node 104 (V₁₀₄) of bridge 86 is a system referencevoltage determined by diving V_(B) by the second resistive voltagedivider including resistors 120 and 122 (i.e., V_(B) *R120/R120+R122).Any variation in battery voltage, voltage transients or noise on thevoltage line will affect both V₈₂ and V₁₀₄ in a proportionate manner. Asdescribed below the reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, microcomputer 42 scalesV₈₂ by V₁₀₄ to cancel the effects of voltage variations and noise fromV₈₂.

The operation of microcomputer 42 in decoding multiplex switch assembly30, and providing speed control commands is now described with referenceto the flowchart shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. Each block shown isrepresentative of process steps performed by microcomputer 42 duringeach of its background loops. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat the process shown may be performed by other components such asanalog circuitry or discrete logic components commonly referred to asIntegrated Circuits.

At the start of each background loop the brake light signal is sampledin step 152. In the event of a brake light signal, the Brake Flag is setand the STANDBY COMMAND generated (see steps 154 nd 156). During theSTANDBY mode, stepper motor 50 is phase stepped to an idle throttleposition and electromagnetic clutch 56 then opened. Thereafter,resumption of speed control operation occurs with either a SET COMMANDor a RESUME COMMAND.

IF the brake light signal is not present, step 158 compares actualvehicle speed (v) to preselected range Δ around reference speed ms whichis stored in memory. When vehicle speed is beyond this preselectedrange, a STANDBY COMMAND is generated (steps 156 and 158). When vehiclespeed is within the preselected range, the digital representation of V₈₂and V₁₀₄ is sampled during step 162. Command signal V_(c) is thengenerated in step 164 by scaling V₈₂ with V₁₀₄ to eliminate the effectsof voltage variations and noise at node 82 as previously describedherein. Accordingly, command signal V_(c) is a digital representation orcoding of V₈₂ which in turn is a voltage representation of switchactuation in multiplex switch assembly 30.

During steps 168, 170 and 172 an ON Flag is set and the ON COMMANDgenerated when the digital representation of V₈₂ is greater than V₁₀₄.Stated another way, speed control operation is enabled when the abovecomparison indicates that ON/OFF Switch 32 is momentary actuated in theON position.

Command signal V_(c) is then compared to a digital representation of thevoltage, or voltage range, associated with momentary actuation of ON/OFFswitch 32 in the OFF position (V_(OFF)) during step 176. If V_(c) isequal to V_(OFF), the ON Flag is cleared and the OFF COMMAND generatedduring steps 178 and 180. Stepper motor 50 is then sequenced to an idleposition and electromagnetic clutch assembly 56 opened. Speed controloperation cannot thereafter be reactuated until an ON COMMAND isreceived.

When command signal V_(c) is not equal to signal V_(OFF) and the ON Flagwas previously set (see steps 176 and 184), command signal V_(c) iscompared to signal V_(Set) which is a digital representation of thevoltage at node 82 during actuation of SET/ACCEL switch 36 (see step186). If command signal V_(c) and signal V_(Set) are equal, the previousstate of signal V_(c) is then checked for an idle switch condition(V_(idle)) corresponding to concurrent deactuation of all momentaryswitches in multiplex switch assembly 30 (see step 188). Should theprevious state be other than an idle switch position, two switches maybe concurrently actuated by the operator, in which case further speedcontrol processing is exited.

If command signal V_(c) is equal to V_(Set) (see step 186), and theprevious state of command signal V_(c) was at an idle position (see step188) indicating that all switches were previously deactuated, then theBrake Flag is checked during step 190. It is noted that the Brake Flagis set during application of the vehicular brakes (see steps 150 and152) and cleared when command signal V_(c) is detected at an idleposition indicating that all momentary switches were concurrentlydeactuated (see steps 230 and 232).

Returning to step 190, when the Brake Flag is detected as being cleared,command signal V_(c) is checked to see if it was also at V_(Set) duringthe previous background loop. If it was not, then a SET COMMAND isgenerated (see steps 192 and 194). On the other hand, if command signalV_(c) was also at V_(Set) during the previous background loop, an ACCELCOMMAND is generated (see steps 192 and 196). Stated another way,detection of continued depression of SET/ACCEL switch 36 results in anACCEL COMMAND.

As described in greater detail later herein with particular reference toFIG. 3, the SET COMMAND begins initializing speed control operation toachieve the vehicle speed present at the time SET/ACCEL switch 36 isdepressed. During continued depression of the switch, speed controlsystem 10 accelerates the vehicle by incrementing the set speed in apreprogrammed manner.

Decoding the actuation of COAST switch 34 occurs during process step200. After the digital representation of the voltage at node 82associated with such actuation is detected (V_(Idle)), the previousstate of command signal V_(c) is checked in step 202. When a previousidle condition of all switches is detected, and the Brake Flag is in acleared condition (see step 204), a COAST COMMAND is generated.Otherwise, processing for the particular background loop ceases. Duringspeed control coast operation, stepper motor 50 is turned to idle.Release of COAST switch 34 results in reinitializing speed controloperation at the vehicle speed which occurred at the time of suchrelease.

Decoding actuation of RESUME/CANCEL switch 38 and subsequent generationof the RESUME COMMAND begins with step 210. After affirmative comparisonof signal V_(c) with signal V_(Rsm), the previous state of commandsignal V_(c) is checked for an idle condition during step 212. If allswitches were previously deactuated and the Brake Flag is in the clearedstate (see step 214), the Standby Mode is then checked during (see step216). If previously in the Standby Mode, the RESUME COMMAND is thengenerated during step 218. However, if speed control was not previouslyin the Standby Mode (i.e., speed control in control mode), thendepression of RESUME/CANCEL switch 38 is interpreted as a Cancel and theStandby Mode generated (step 220).

During operation in the Resume mode, speed control operation isreinitialized to achieve the desired or set speed which was stored priorto application of the vehicular brakes. A detailed description of Resumeoperation is described later herein with particular reference to FIGS.10A-10B, 11A-11C, and 12A-12C.

Continuing with FIGS. 2A-2B, detection of concurrent deactuation of allswitches in multiplex switch assembly 30 (i.e., V_(c) =V_(Idle)) duringstep 230 results in clearing the Brake Flag in step 232. In view of theabove described process steps, neither the SET, ACCEL, COAST, or RESUMECOMMANDS can be generated unless the Brake Flag is cleared. Statedanother way, these commands cannot be generated until each switch ofmultiplex switch assembly 30 is concurrently at an idle position.Further, each previous state of signal V_(c) must be at an idle position(see steps 188, 202 and 212). Accordingly, speed control operation isprevented when any of the switches remains in an actuated position suchas when the vehicular operator inadvertently holds down a momentaryswitch or concurrently actuates two switches. However, once such switchreturns to normal operation, speed control processing will thencontinue.

CONTROL MODE

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the Control Mode, or steady-state, speedcontrol operation is now described. The Control Mode is entered afterinitializing operations during the Set, ACCEL, or Resume Mode, asdescribed in greater detail later herein. During the Control Mode,feedback speed control operations maintain the vehicle at the set ordesired speed. Upon recognition of the control mode in step 240 speederror signal v_(e) is computed in step 246 by subtracting actual vehiclespeed v from reference speed ms which is stored in memory location m.Gain constants k_(p) (proportional term), k_(q) (quadratic term), andk_(I) (integral term) are set in step 248 as a function of vehiclespeed. In this particular example, each gain constant is one of threevalues each associated with one of three speed ranges. These speedranges are designated as a high speed range (v_(h)), a medium speedrange (v_(m)), and a low speed range (v_(l)),

During process steps 250-254, proportional, quadratic, and integralspeed control are derived from error speed signal v_(e). In process step250 the proportional speed control term is provided by multiplyingproportional gain constant k_(p) times speed error signal v_(e). Thisproportional term provides relatively fast speed control response to aspeed error.

The integral control term is computed in step 252 by integrating speederror signal v_(e), multiplying this integral by integral term k_(I),and adding an initial throttle position designated as TP_(i). Thecomputation of initial throttle position TP_(i) is described laterherein with particular reference to FIG. 6. This integral control termprovides speed control system 10 with stable steady-state operation.

As shown in process step 254, the quadratic speed control term iscalculated by multiplying quadratic constant k_(q) times the product oferror signal v_(e) and the absolute value of error signal v_(e). Thisparticular multiplication is used to advantage for generating aquadratic control term having the sign of error signal v_(e). Thequadratic, integral, and proportional control terms are then added instep 258 to generate throttle position command signal TP. As describedlater herein with particular reference to FIG. 5, throttle positioncommand signal TP causes stepper motor 50 to turn to the commandedthrottle position.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the advantages of the quadratic control termare described. Quadratic control term k_(q) * v_(e) * |v_(e) | isplotted as a function of speed error signal v_(e). It is noted that atlow speed error signals (such as v_(e) less than 1 mph), the quadraticcontrol term is relatively small due to its squaring feature. On theother hand, the quadratic control term contributes substantially athigher speed error signals. To prevent excessive contribution at highspeed error signals, the quadratic control term is clipped or limited atpredetermine positive and negative limits. An advantage of the quadraticcontrol term utilized herein is that small speed error signals areessentially ignored thereby providing a more stable speed controlsystem. On the other hand, large corrections are quickly provided forsignificant speed errors thereby achieving a speed control system with arelatively fast response time.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram showing the process steps forphase control of three-phase stepper motor 50 is now described. Duringstep 272 throttle position command TP is provided in a manner describedlater herein with particular reference to FIG. 4. In step 274 throttleposition command TP is compared to total phase count φ_(c) which, asdescribed below, infers the actual position of stepper motor 50 andaccordingly the throttle plate (not shown). The difference betweenthrottle position TP and phase count φ_(c) is representative of theangular position which stepper motor 50 must be incremented ordecremented to in order to achieve the throttle position commanded bymicrocomputer 42. In response, a sequence of phase pulses (φ₁, φ₂, andφ₃) is generated during step 276 for turning stepper motor 50 tothrottle position TP. As phase pulses φ₁, φ₂, and φ₃ are generated forturning stepper motor 50 in discrete phase steps, each pulse is countedto provide a total phase count φ_(c) in step 278 which is related to theactual position of stepper motor 50. The above described process thencontinues the next background loop of microcomputer 42 when a newthrottle position command is received.

SET MODE

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6B and 7, initialization of speed controloperation is described in response to a SET COMMAND. Upon recognition ofthe SET COMMAND in step 282, a rounded off value of actual vehicle speedat the time of actuation of SET/ACCEL switch 36 is stored as a set ordesired speed in the rs memory location (see step 284). Stepper motor 50is then zeroed or turned to an idle position and electromagnetic clutchassembly 56 engaged during steps 288 and 290.

Referring to process steps 292-304 in FIG. 6A and also referring to thegraph shown in FIG. 7 description is provided for initializing speedcontrol system 10 with an initial throttle position computed as follows.Throttle position is calculated by assuming a straight line relationshipbetween vehicle speed and throttle position as illustrated by line 280in FIG. 7. This illustrative line is shown having a slope "a" and anoffset value c_(i) which intersects the throttle position axis. Offsetc_(i) corresponds to the throttle position at idle after slack andmechanical stacking in the throttle cable and associated mechanicallinkage have been taken in. Accordingly, initial throttle positionTP_(i) is calculated as follows: TP_(i) =a*rs+c_(i) (see step 292 inFIG. 6).

Referring back to FIG. 6A, the integrator memory is initialized withinitial throttle position TP_(i) in step 294 a SET COMMAND (as describedin greater detail later herein, a similar initializing process occursafter a RESUME COMMAND or ACCEL COMMAND). Stepper motor 50 is thenadvanced until its angular position, as represented by phase countφ_(c), reaches initial throttle position TP_(i) as shown by processsteps 298 and 300. Actual vehicle speed existing at that time is thenstored as initial reference speed ms_(i) during process step 304. Asdescribed in greater detail later herein, reference speed ms isincremented in a preprogrammed manner until desired speed rs isachieved.

The above operation is illustrated by the waveforms shown in FIGS. 8A-8Cfor a hypothetical speed control operation. It is noted that afteroperator actuation of SET/ACCEL switch 36 at time t1 the vehicle speeddroops as the operator releases the accelerator pedal (see FIG. 8B).Concurrently, the integrator storage location is initialized with targetthrottle position TP_(i) and stepper motor 50 turned to target throttleposition TP_(i) (see FIG. 8C). Stated another way, stepper motor 50 isadvanced until its total phase count φ_(c) reaches target throttleposition TP_(i) at time t2. Actual vehicle speed at such time is thenstored as initial reference speed ms_(i). As described in greater detailbelow, reference ms is then incremented in a preprogrammed manner andclosed loop speed control operation is concurrently commenced togradually increase vehicle speed until desired speed rs is achieved attime t3.

Referring to FIG. 6B, speed error signal v_(e) is generated bysubtracting actual vehicle speed (v) from reference speed ms asreference speed ms is being incremented (step 308). Proportional gainconstant k_(p), quadratic gain constant k_(q), and integral gainconstant k_(I) are set in a manner described later herein withparticular reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. During steps 312, 314, 316, and318 throttle position (TP) is determined in the same manner aspreviously described herein with particular reference to process steps250, 252, 254, and 258 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the throttle positioncommanded of stepper motor 50 is generated as follows:

    TP=k.sub.p *v.sub.e +k.sub.I ∫v.sub.e dt+TP.sub.i +k.sub.q *v.sub.e *|v.sub.e |

The programing for incrementing reference speed ms is provided in steps322-334. In general, a preselected number of ramps are utilizeddependent upon vehicle speed. If vehicle speed is less than initialreference speed ms_(i) plus predetermined deviation Δ₁ (such as one mileper hour), then initial reference speed ms_(i) is incremented atpredetermined Rate 1. When vehicle speed is less than desired speed rsby predetermined amount Δ₃ such as three miles per hour, (see processstep 324), but greater than initial reference speed ms_(i) plus Δ₁ (seeprocess step 326), then reference speed ms is incremented atpredetermined Rate 2.

When vehicle speed v is equal to desired speed rs (see step 322),reference speed ms is set equal to desired speed rs during step 330. Asshown in the hypothetical example in FIG. 8B, ms is incremented at Rate3 from ms_(i) to rs for providing gradual vehicle acceleration toreference speed rs. Subsequently, the control mode is entered asindicated by process step 336 in FIG. 6.

ADAPTIVE LEARNING

Updating of offset value c_(i) during the Control mode for use insubsequent calculation of target throttle position TP_(i) is nowdescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9. It is noted that speedcontrol during the Control mode of operation was previously describedwith reference to FIG. 3. Referring first to FIG. 9, the contents of theintegrator storage location are sampled during step 352 each backgroundloop upon entering the control mode (see step 350). Since the integratorcontents represent the integral of speed error signal v_(e) plus theinitial throttle position, this value (I_(i+l)) is approximatelyequivalent to the actual throttle position. During step 354, the productof desired speed rs times slope "a" of the curve represented in FIG. 9is subtracted from sampled integrator value I_(i+l) to generate anupdated offset value c_(i+l). Offset value c_(i+l) is then stored duringstep 356 for use in a subsequent calculation of target throttle positionTP_(i) as previously described herein with reference to process step292, 294, 298, and 300 shown in FIG. 6A.

The above described steps for adaptively learning offset value c_(i+l)and utilizing such value to compute a target throttle position (TP_(i))may be better understood by reviewing the hypothetical example ofoperation presented in FIG. 7. As previously discussed herein, line 280represents an estimate of throttle position versus vehicle speed. Offsetvalue c_(i) represents throttle position at idle. However, initialreference line 280 represents only a best guess relationship, it willvary between different vehicles, vehicle accessories, and throttle cableslack.

During each background loop of microcomputer 40 (FIG. 9), the integratorstorage location is sampled (I_(i+l)). This value, as previouslydiscussed, represents actual throttle position. Thus, line 280 should beshifted in a parallel manner such that it intersects sampled integratorvalue I_(i+l). Stated another way, offset value c_(i) is replaced byupdated offset c_(i+l) as a function of sampled integrator value I_(i+l)(i.e., c_(i+l) equals I_(i+l) -a*rs). Accordingly, offset value c_(i) isadaptively learned or updated such that line 280 becomes shifted to line280' which in this example represents a true relationship betweenvehicle speed and throttle position for the particular vehicle uponwhich speed control system 10 is installed.

Referring to the example shown in FIG. 7, speed control system 10maintains vehicle speed at reference speed rs.

In accordance with the description provided above with reference toFIGS. 7 and 9, speed control system 10 is initialized with an adaptivelylearned target throttle position such that desired speed rs is achievedin a stable manner with minimal undershoot, overshoot, or abrupt changesin vehicle speed. In addition, the adaptive learning process of targetthrottle positioning enables speed control system 10 to automaticallyadapt to different vehicles, and to variations among the same vehicleupon which it may be installed.

RESUME MODES

Operation during the resume mode is now described with reference to theflowchart of process steps performed by microcomputer 42 shown in FIGS.10A-10B, and the graphical representation of a hypothetical resumeoperation shown in FIGS. 11A-11C. After a RESUME COMMAND is recognizedin step 382, stepper motor 50 is turned to an idle position (see step384) and electromagnetic clutch assembly 56 activated (see step 388).

During step 392, initial throttle position TP_(i) is computed bymultiplying vehicle speed existing at the time resume switch 38 isdepressed times slope value "a" and adding adaptively learned offsetvalue c_(i). The integrator memory is then initialized with the computedinitial target position TP_(i) (see step 394). Stepper motor 50 isadvanced until it reaches a phase count associated with target throttleposition TP_(i) (see steps 398 and 400). Actual vehicle speed v is thenstored as reference speed ms_(i) in step 404.

During step 408, speed error signal v_(e) is computed by subtractingvehicle speed from reference speed ms. Proportional gain constant k_(p),quadratic gain constant k_(q), and integral gain constant k_(I) are setin step 410. During steps 412, 414, 416, and 418 throttle position TP isdetermined in the same manner as previously described herein withparticular reference to process steps 250, 252, 254, and 258 shown inFIG. 3.

The operation of microcomputer 42 for incrementing reference speed ms toachieve resume or set speed rs is now described with continuingreference to FIGS. 10A-10B, FIGS. 11A-11C, and FIGS. 12A-12C. FIGS.11A-11D represent a hypothetical resume operation wherein referencespeed ms is greater than actual vehicle speed v (i.e., v_(e) >zero)throughout resume operations. On the other hand, FIGS. 12A-12C representa more complex hypothetical resume operation wherein actual vehiclespeed v exceeds reference speed ms (i.e., v_(e) <zero) during a portionof resume operation.

Resume speed control operation is first described of conditions whenvehicle speedy is less than reference speed ms (i.e., v_(e) >zero).After a determination is made that the speed error signal v_(e) ispositive (see step 430) and reference speed ms is less than set speed rs(see step 432), vehicle speed v is compared to various speed ranges (seesteps 434, 436, and 438). More specifically, when vehicle speed v isless than predetermined value Δ₃ from set speed rs and withinpredetermined value Δ₁ from initial reference speed ms_(i), referencespeed ms is incremented at predetermined rate R₁ as shown by steps 434,436, and 438. When vehicle speed v exceeds initial reference speedms_(i) plus Δ₁ (see step 436), and is less than reference speed rs minusΔ₃ (see step 434), reference speed ms is incremented at rate R₂ (seestep 440). If vehicle speed v is greater than set speed rs minus Δ₃ (seestep 434), reference speed ms is incremented at rate R₃ (see step 442)until reference speed ms reaches set speed rs (see steps 432 and 446).

When reference speed ms reaches set speed rs, the throttle angle isgreater than that required to maintain set speed rs because the vehiclehas been accelerating. Speed overshoot would therefore result unlesscorrected for. Process steps 450, 452, and 454 prevent or substantiallyreduce such overshoot. More specifically, a new target throttle positionis calculated based upon set speed rs during step 450 where TP_(i)=c_(i) +a*rs. Since the adaptive learning previously described hereinwith particular reference to FIG. 9 has updated offset c_(i), thecalculated target throttle position should be highly accurate. Thiscalculated target throttle position reinitializes the integrator storageposition when reference speed ms is incremented to set speed rs therebypreventing speed overshoot. Afterwards, the control mode is entered asshown by step 454.

The operation presented above may be better understood by referring tothe graphical representation of an example of resume operation presentedin FIGS. 11A-11C. Upon depression of resume switch 38 at time t₁ (seeFIG. 11A), the integrator storage location is initialized with targetthrottle position TP_(i) calculated as a function of vehicle speed v attime t₁ (see FIG. 11C). Stepper motor 50 is then advanced until phasecount φ_(c) reaches target throttle position TP_(i) at time t₂ (FIG.11C).

Referring to FIG. 11B, reference speed ms is initialized with vehiclespeed v when stepper motor 50 reaches target throttle position TP_(i) attime t₂. Initial reference speed ms_(i) is then gradually advanced atrate R₁ until vehicle speed v reaches initial reference speed ms_(i)plus Δ₁ at time t₃. Subsequently, reference speed ms is incremented atrate R₂ until vehicle speed v reaches set speed rs minus Δ₃ at time t₄.Thereafter, reference speed ms is incremented at rate R₃ until itreaches set speed rs at time t₅. The integrator storage location is thenreset with a target throttle position based on set speed rs (TP_(i)=a*rs+c_(i)). As shown in FIG. 11C, this integrator resetting operationreduces throttle position thereby reducing or eliminating any speedovershoot.

Speed control operation when speed error signal v_(e) is negative (i.e.,v>ms) during a portion of resume operation is now described withcontinuing reference to FIGS. 10A-10B, and reference to the hypotheticalexample graphically shown in FIGS. 12A-12C. Such operation occurs underresume speed control operation while the operator is accelerating orwhile traveling downhill. Vehicle speed is first compared to an upperreference speed ums (see step 460) which, in this particular example, isgenerated by adding a predetermined value Δ_(m) to reference speed msduring each background loop of microcomputer 42. When vehicle speed v isgreater than ums, reference speed ms is incremented to upper referencespeed ums as shown in steps 460 and 462. When vehicle speed v is lessthan upper reference speed ums and is also less than set speed rs minusΔ₃ (steps 460 and 464), then reference speed ms is updated with vehiclespeed v (step 468). Referring to steps 464, 470, and 472, referencespeed ms is incremented at rate R₃ when vehicle speed is within apredetermined range Δ₃ of set speed rs. When vehicle speed v reaches rs(step 470), reference speed ms is set to set speed rs and the integratorstorage location reset as previously described herein with relation toprocess steps 450, 452, and 454. That is, the integrator isreinitialized with a target throttle position as a function of set speedrs (TP_(i) =a*rs+c_(i)).

The above described resume operation having a negative speed errorduring a portion of the resume mode may be better understood by thehypothetical example of operation shown in FIGS. 12A-12C. Resume switch38 is shown actuated at time t₁ in FIG. 12A. As shown in FIG. 12C, theintegrator storage location is then set with a target throttle positioncalculated in relation to vehicle speed v existing at time t₁ (TP_(i)=a*v+c_(i)) in the manner previously described. In response, steppermotor 50 is turned to target throttle position TP_(i). Upon reaching thetarget throttle position at time t₂, reference speed ms is initializedwith vehicle speed v (see FIG. 12B). Reference speed ms is thenincremented as described below and feedback speed control commencedbased upon speed error signal v_(e) (v_(e) =ms-v).

Referring to the example presented in FIG. 12B, line 470 representsreference speed ms incremented at rates R₁, R₂, and R₃ underhypothetical conditions where vehicle speed v is less than referencespeed ms. Similarly, line 472 represents upper reference speed ums whichis incremented at rates R₁, R₂, and R₃ under hypothetical conditionswhere vehicle speed v is less than upper reference speed ums. Line 474represents actual vehicle speed v for the example presented herein. And,the solid portions of lines 470, 472, and 474 represent the actualreference speed ms utilized for speed error control in the particularexample presented herein.

Continuing with FIG. 12B, reference speed ms is increased at rate R₁until it is greater than initial reference speed ms_(i) plus Δ₁ as shownat time t₃. Thereafter, reference speed ms is increased at rate R₂. Asshown in the previous example presented herein with reference to FIGS.11A-11C, reference speed ms would increase at rate R₂ until vehiclespeed v reaches set speed rs minus Δ₃. However, as shown in theparticular example presented in FIG. 12B, vehicle speed v exceedsreference speed ms at time t₄. Reference speed ms is therefore set tovehicle speed v at time t₄.

Vehicle speed v is shown exceeding upper reference speed ums at time t₅.This may be an indication of acceleration while traveling downhill.Accordingly, reference speed ms is then limited to upper reference speedums (line 472) at time t5. Between times t₆ and t₈, vehicle speed v isagain shown occurring between upper reference speed ums and the lower orbase reference speed shown by line 470. Reference speed ms is thereforeset to vehicle speed v (line 474). After time t₈, vehicle speed v isshown falling below reference line 470. Accordingly, reference speed msis incremented at rate R₃ as shown by line 470 until it reaches setspeed rs at time t₉. Upon reaching set speed rs, the integrator storagelocation is reset with a target throttle position based upon set speedrs as previously described herein (TP_(i) =a*rs+c_(i)),

In accordance with the resume operation described herein with referenceto steps 460-472 and 446-454 presented in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 12A-12C,smooth resume operation is provided which adapts to actual vehicle speedunder conditions of operator acceleration and downhill operation. Inaddition, the unique manner of initializing the integrator with throttleposition based upon vehicle speed v and reinitializing the integratorwith target throttle position based upon set speed rs, provides smoothand stable operation with minimal undershoot or overshoot.

This concludes the Description of the Preferred Embodiment. The readingof it by those skilled in the art will bring to mind many alterationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, speed control operation is illustrated duringvarious modes of operation such as the Resume Mode whereas the teachingsof the invention are applicable to other modes of operation wherein thedesired speed is altered. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofthe invention be limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A speed control method for achieving and maintaininga desired vehicular speed by controlling an engine throttle, comprisingthe steps of:computing an initial throttle position for approaching thedesired speed upon operator actuation of speed control operation bymultiplying the desired speed by a constant and adding an updatableoffset value; moving the throttle to said initial throttle position;adjusting the throttle in relation to a deviation of the desired speedfrom vehicle speed for maintaining the desired speed; providing anindication of actual throttle position while the desired speed is beingmaintained; and updating said updatable offset value by subtracting aproduct of said constant times the desired speed from said indication ofactual throttle position to provide an updated offset value to saidcomputing step during a subsequent operator actuation of speed controloperation.
 2. A speed control method for achieving and maintaining adesired vehicular speed by controlling an engine throttle, comprisingthe steps of:computing an initial throttle position for approaching thedesired speed upon operator actuation of speed control operation bymultiplying the desired speed by a constant and adding an updatableoffset value; moving the throttle to said initial throttle position;adjusting the throttle in relation to an integration of a deviation ofthe desired speed from vehicle speed for maintaining the desired speed;providing an indication of actual throttle position while the desiredspeed is being maintained; and updating said updatable offset value bysubtracting a product of said constant times the desired speed from saidindication of actual throttle position to provide an updated offsetvalue to said computing step during a subsequent operator actuation ofspeed control operation.
 3. A speed control method for achieving andmaintaining a desired vehicular speed by controlling an engine throttle,comprising the steps of:computing an initial throttle position forapproaching the desired speed upon operator actuation of speed controloperation by multiplying the desired speed by a constant and adding anupdatable offset value; moving the throttle to said initial throttleposition; adjusting the throttle in relation to an integration of adeviation of the desired speed from vehicle speed for maintaining thedesired speed; providing an indication of actual throttle position byreading said integration of said deviation while the desired speed isbeing maintained; and updating said updatable offset value bysubtracting a product of said constant times the desired speed from saidindication of actual throttle position to provide an updated offsetvalue to said computing step during a subsequent operator actuation ofspeed control operation.